Adult ADHD in Ireland: The Evolving Response and the Role of Telepsychiatry
Adult ADHD in Ireland: The Evolving Response and the Role of Telepsychiatry
By Dr. Raaj | Mindbridge Medical
In our previous posts, we explored the origins of Mindbridge Medical and the transformative power of telepsychiatry. Today, we ground our mission in the latest evidence, highlighting a pivotal 2023 study published in the BJPsych Bulletin: “Adult ADHD in the Republic of Ireland: the evolving response”.
This paper provides a critical snapshot of where adult ADHD care stands in Ireland today—acknowledging significant progress while starkly illuminating the gaps that services like ours exist to fill.
Key Findings: Progress Amidst Persistent Gaps
The review outlines the historical and current landscape of adult ADHD services in the Republic:
From Neglect to Recognition: Historically, adult ADHD was largely ignored in Irish psychiatric services, viewed primarily as a pediatric condition. The introduction of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Adult ADHDmarked a turning point, formally recognizing adult ADHD as a legitimate, treatable neurodevelopmental disorder requiring specialist care.
The Waiting List Crisis: Despite this progress, public services remain critically under-resourced. Waiting lists for adult ADHD assessment in many HSE areas exceed 2–4 years, leaving thousands of adults without diagnosis, treatment, or support during their most productive years.
Geographic Inequity: Access remains a postcode lottery. Adults in rural and remote areas face compounded barriers, including travel distances to the few existing specialist clinics, further exacerbating waiting times and dropout rates.
The Rise of Private & Telepsychiatry: In response to public system delays, there has been a significant shift toward private provision. Telepsychiatry, in particular, has emerged as a vital, evidence-based solution to bypass geographic and capacity constraints, offering timely access to assessment and treatment.
Why This Matters for Our Patients
For too long, adults with ADHD in Ireland have been told to “wait and see” or “cope until you’re seen.” This paper validates what our patients experience daily: the system is failing to meet demand, and the cost of delay is measured in lost careers, fractured relationships, and preventable comorbidities like anxiety, depression, and substance misuse.
The review explicitly endorses telepsychiatry as a safe, effective, and patient-preferred modality for adult ADHD care—particularly for follow-up, medication titration, and psychoeducation—aligning perfectly with the Mindbridge model.
Clinical Implications: How Mindbridge Responds
These findings directly inform and validate our service design:
Eliminating Wait Times: We offer assessments within weeks, preventing the clinical deterioration that occurs during prolonged delays.
National Reach: Our telepsychiatry platform serves patients from Donegal to Cork, removing travel barriers and ensuring equitable access regardless of location.
Integrated Care Pathways: We operate in full alignment with the HSE National Clinical Programme, ensuring our assessments, treatment protocols, and shared-care agreements with GPs meet national standards.
Multidisciplinary Expansion: Recognizing the high rate of comorbidities noted in the paper, we have expanded our team to include clinical psychology and addiction counselling, providing holistic care under one virtual roof.
The Path Forward
The BJPsych Bulletin review is both a call to action and a validation of the private-telehealth model. While we advocate for increased public investment in adult ADHD services, we cannot wait for systemic change to help those suffering now.
At Mindbridge Medical, we are committed to being part of the “evolving response” this paper describes—bridging the gap between policy and practice, and ensuring that no adult in Ireland has to wait years to understand their brain and reclaim their life.
Reference:
Raaj, S., Wrigley, M., & Farrelly, R. (2024). Adult ADHD in the Republic of Ireland: the evolving response. BJPsych bulletin, 48(3), 173–176. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2023.77
Dr. Raaj is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Founder of Mindbridge Medical, specializing in adult ADHD assessment and treatment via telepsychiatry across Ireland.